Spilt tea on PowerBook panic!
My wife spilt tea on my PowerBook last week. Taking the battery out and leaving it open and upside down in the airing cupboard for 24 hours sorted it out though. Panic over.
I was quite looking forward to getting a MacBook Pro on the insurance.

Turn your Book into a Light-sabre.
So that's what the Sudden Motion Detector was there for.

...And the winner of the Steve Jobs Award is...
...Steve Jobs!

iPods win at D&AD Awards again.
Alas, this time no Steve Jobs or Johnny Ive to pick up the pencil - and no Stephen Fry to froth at the trouser. Both iPod video and iPod nano picked up in the Product Design category.

Get Fit with Nike+ and iPod Sport Kit.
A sensor fits into the sole of your Nike+ trainer and a receiver fits onto you iPod. The iPOd then displays mileage, pace and time aswell as your track details. You can then sync your fitness details with iTunes. It's not available yet but the iPod kit costs $29 in the US but doesn't include the Nike+ trainers (obviously).

Final Cut Express HD 3.5 out now.
This 'significant' upgrade runs natively on both Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs.


New features include Dynamic RT for real-time playback of multi-stream effects, Soundtrack 1.5 with a complete suite of professional level audio production tools, and LiveType 2.1 with additional animated text and titles in the box.

iLife Apps Updated... the other day.
Sorry, in all the MacBook excitement I completely forgot to inform you, my loyal readers (all three of you) about this.

iWeb 1.1 adds comment and search support for blogs and podcasts published to .Mac. It also addresses a variety of usability and performance issues for all users, includingimage management fixes to improve site load performance.

iPhoto 6.0.3 addresses issues with Photocasting of Smart Albums, sharing iPhoto libraries, and creating calendars and books. It also addresses a number of other minor issues.

iDVD 6.0.2 (5MB) update addresses issues with burning some 16:9 projects and improves overall stability. It also resolves issues with integration with the other iLife applications, importing of legacy projects and some theme related issues.

iMovie HD 6.0.2 (7MB) addresses issues with PAL audio and displaying iLife Sound Effects automatically in its iLife Media Browser. It also improves overall stability and address a number of other minor issues. A 54.6MB Combo update is also available for users who have not yet updated to version 6.0.1.

MacBook: The Facts.
Here's what Apple's press release said about the iBook replacement.
I've just noticed that Black one are more expensive than white.
Is there no JUSTICE?!
I bet Apple sell more black iPods than white iPods, so they're hoping the majority of punters will pay extra for the Black MacBook - even though you can upgrade a white one to match the spec of the black for £90 less.
Now that's just being sneaky.


"Apple® today unveiled the newly designed MacBook™, the world’s most advanced consumer notebook featuring the Intel Core Duo processor and a gorgeous new 13-inch glossy widescreen display, all in a sleek design that is up to five times faster than the iBook® and up to four times faster than the 12-inch PowerBook®.* Together with the 15-and 17-inch MacBook Pros, the new MacBook completes Apple’s Intel-based portables lineup and replaces both the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook. Apple’s entire portables lineup now offers Intel Core Duo processors; a built-in iSight™ video camera for video conferencing on-the-go; breakthrough Front Row media experience with Apple Remote; and several advanced features including DVI with dual display support, optical digital audio input and output, Gigabit Ethernet, Sudden Motion Sensor, Scrolling TrackPad and MagSafe™ Power Adapter.


“Apple began the transition to Intel Core Duo-based notebooks in February with the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and now just 90 days later we have completed the transition with the release of the all new MacBook,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “The complete MacBook lineup leads the industry with Apple’s trademark innovative design and advanced mobile features—from top to bottom it is the best notebook line that we have ever offered.”


With prices starting at just £749 (inc. VAT), the MacBook lineup includes three models: a 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz MacBook in a newly designed, sleek white enclosure and a 2.0 GHz MacBook in a stunning new black enclosure. The new MacBook offers performance up to five times faster than the iBook and up to four times faster than the 12-inch PowerBook with a completely new system architecture including a 667 MHz front-side bus and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB. At about one-inch thin, the new MacBook is 20 percent thinner than the iBook and features a gorgeous new 13-inch glossy widescreen display. With a display that is 79 percent brighter than the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook, the MacBook provides incredibly crisp images with richer colours, deeper blacks and significantly greater contrast. At a resolution of 1280 x 800, the MacBook display provides 30 percent more viewing area than the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook.


Every new MacBook comes with a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go using Apple’s award-winning iChat AV, or recording a video Podcast or iMovie® using iLife® ‘06. MacBook also includes Photo Booth, Apple’s fun-to-use application that lets users take quick snapshots with the built-in iSight video camera, add entertaining visual effects and share their pictures with the touch of a button. The new MacBook gives customers a simple way to enjoy their digital lifestyle content wherever they go—including music, photos and videos from across the room using the Apple Remote. With Front Row, users can effortlessly access shared iTunes® playlists, iPhoto® libraries and video throughout their home via Bonjour™, Apple’s zero configuration wireless networking built into Mac OS® X.


Designed to withstand the rigours of life on the go, every MacBook comes with Apple’s MagSafe Power Adapter, created especially for mobile users that makes charging the notebook’s battery easier than ever by magnetically coupling the power cord to the MacBook. The MagSafe Power Adapter safely disconnects from the notebook when there is strain on the power cord, helping to prevent the notebook from falling off its work surface. Every MacBook also includes Apple’s Sudden Motion Sensor that is designed to protect the hard drive in case of a fall, and all MacBooks include a Scrolling TrackPad to easily scroll through long web pages or pan across large photographs.


With the latest high-performance connectivity options, every new MacBook includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort® Extreme 802.11g WiFi for up to 54 Mbps fast wireless networking**, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), two USB 2.0 ports, combination analogue and optical digital audio input and output ports, and a mini-DVI video output to connect up to a 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.


Every MacBook includes iLife ‘06, the next generation of Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications featuring iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD®, GarageBand™ and iWeb™, a new iLife application that makes it super-easy to create amazing websites with photos, blogs and Podcasts and publish them on .Mac for viewing by anyone on the Internet with just a single click. All the iLife ‘06 applications run natively on the new Intel-based MacBooks for maximum performance.


Every MacBook also comes with the latest release of the world’s most advanced operating system, Mac OS X version 10.4.6 “Tiger” including Safari™, Mail, iCal®, iChat AV, Front Row and Photo Booth, running natively on Apple’s Intel-based notebook line. Mac OS X Tiger includes an innovative software translation technology called Rosetta that lets customers run most Mac OS X PowerPC applications seamlessly.*** Intel-based Mac customers have more than 1,700 Universal applications to choose from and the list is growing each day with hundreds of developers including Adobe, Quark and IBM’s Lotus division announcing support for Mac OS X Intel-based applications. An updated list of Universal applications for Mac OS X is available at guide.apple.com/uk/universal.


Pricing & Availability
The new MacBook is available immediately through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com/ukstore), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers. Apple today also increased processor speeds on both models of the 15-inch MacBook Pro, delivering even greater performance at no additional cost. The £1,699 (inc. VAT) model now includes a 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from 2.0 GHz, and the £1,399 (inc. VAT) model now includes a 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from 1.83 GHz. Beginning today, the MacBook Pro also offers the new glossy widescreen display as a CTO option on both the 15-and 17-inch models at no additional cost.


The 1.83 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook, for a suggested retail price of £749 (inc. VAT), includes:
• 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness;
• 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
• 667 MHz front-side bus;
• 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB;
• 60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
• a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950;
• Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
• built-in iSight video camera;
• Gigabit Ethernet port;
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire® 400 port;
• one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analogue;
• Scrolling TrackPad;
• the infrared Apple Remote; and
• 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.


The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook, for a suggested retail price of £899 (inc. VAT), includes:
• 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness;
• 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
• 667 MHz front-side bus;
• 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB;
• 60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
• a slot-load SuperDrive™ (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950;
• Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
• built-in iSight video camera;
• Gigabit Ethernet port;
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port;
• one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analogue;
• Scrolling TrackPad;
• the infrared Apple Remote; and
• 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.


The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch black MacBook, for a suggested retail price of £1,029 (inc. VAT), includes:
• 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness;
• 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
• 667 MHz front-side bus;
• 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB;
• 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
• a slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950;
• Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
• built-in iSight video camera;
• Gigabit Ethernet port;
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port;
• one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analogue;
• Scrolling TrackPad;
• the infrared Apple Remote; and
• 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.


Additional build-to-order options for the MacBook include the ability to upgrade to 80GB, 100GB or 120GB 5400 rpm hard drive, up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, Apple USB Modem, Apple Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, Apple Mini-DVI to VGA adapter, and the AppleCare Protection Plan."

A Think Secret MacBook gallery is online. Just look at that keyboard! Now that is nice. That is very nice. Wife? Have you broken the PowerBook yet?

Thursday? How about today?!
MacBook has landed.

New WideScreen Macbook (iBook) and updated iPods due Thursday.
AppleInsider's sources have blabbed. Steve Jobs is to unveil the new kit at the opening of his cubed Manhattan AppleStore. He designed and commissioned it himself, don't you know?

BBC News 24 Struck By Case Of Mistaken Identity.
Here's a funny story that appeared on the Macworld website.
In reporting the Apple vs Apple case, the BBC set up a live interview with internet expert, Guy Kewney. For some reason, they ended up interviewing the cabbie that was meant to pick him up. Oh, how I laughed.
Fairplay to the cabbie and interviewer for going the distance.
See the Daily Mail clip here.

QuickTime 7.1, Front Row and Security Updates aplenty.
Apple said the 49.1MB QuickTime 7.1 update is an important release that delivers numerous bug fixes, support for iLife ’06, and H.264 performance improvements. This update is highly recommended for all QuickTime 7 users.
A 4MB Front Row 1.2.2 update addresses bugs that prevented song shuffling within playlists, corrects bugs that prevented authorized Audible Audiobooks from playing, fixes a variety of DVD compatibility issues and fixes a bug that prevented Front Row from reconnecting to shared video libraries after wake from sleep.
The Security Updates available are:
Security Update 2006-003 Mac OS X 10.4.6 Client (PPC)
Security Update 2006-003 Mac OS X 10.4.6 Client (Intel)
Security Update 2006-003 (10.3.9 Client)
Security Update 2006-003 (10.4.6 Server)
Security Update 2006-003 (10.3.9 Server)

OK. So perhaps they'll be here by the end of the month.
See AppleInsider: Apple MacBook, iPod changes due later this month.
It's still quite exciting.
Isn't it?

Hang on. You may only have to wait until next week if you believe ThinkSecret.

ORDER! ORDER!! Fab Four lose in Apple -vs- Apple case.
The BBC News site reports that Apple Corps are to pay £2m in legal fees to Apple Computers.
Mr Justice Mann ruled iTunes was "a form of electronic shop" and not involved in creating music. What's GarageBand then?
Steve Jobs said: "We are glad to put this disagreement behind us...We have always loved The Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store."
Yeah right. Cheeky bugger.

MacBook coming Tuesday!
All the rumour sites are saying this so it must be true. Some also hint that the new leaner, faster version of the old iBook will come in black as well as white, just like the iPods. Rock on!

New US TV spots (that's American for ads). I'm a Mac and I'm a PC. Shouldn't they have run these years ago? My favourite is the one for iLife. It demonstrates the real reason for buying a Mac - Windows is very uncool and doesn't have everything you need that iLife does. See the Get a Mac campaign here.
Is that my old Rio 600 mpeg player on his belt. Ahh, those were the days; £200 for a 128MB player. Paying for SoundJam. No iTunes. How did we cope?